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PUSS IN (FOOTBALL) BOOTS

Antonio Banderas set to become latest Hollywood A-lister to buy football club with Malaga takeover

HOLLYWOOD legend Antonio Banderas is poised to follow Ryan Reyonlds and Rob McElhenney by buying a stake in a football club.

Movie stars Reynolds and McElhenney have just become joint-owners of National League side Wrexham.

Antonio Banderas, pictured here with lifelong friend Salma Hayek,  wants to buy a stake in Spanish second tier side Malaga
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Antonio Banderas, pictured here with lifelong friend Salma Hayek, wants to buy a stake in Spanish second tier side MalagaCredit: Getty - Contributor
Banderas is famously the voice of Puss in Boots in Shrek
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Banderas is famously the voice of Puss in Boots in ShrekCredit: DreamWorks
Banderas also famously appeared in The Mask of Zorro
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Banderas also famously appeared in The Mask of ZorroCredit: Getty - Contributor

Now award-winning actor and director Banderas hopes to create a similar feel-good story for ailing hometown club, Malaga.

The 60-year-old has starred in a host of films including The Mask of Zorro and Evita - as well lending his voice to Puss in Boots, in the Shrek franchise.

Banderas will now hope to bring the same fighting spirit to struggling Malaga - currently in the Segunda Division having been relegated following a disastrous 2017-18 season.

The actor was a promising footballer as a youngster, but quit after breaking his foot aged 14 - and is a lifelong Malaga fan.


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The south coast club has slumped to mid-table in Spain's second tier after losing its LaLiga status over two years ago.

Banderas has returned to his birthplace to run its Soho Theatre.

He said: "My involvement in Malaga will depend on who the new investors are, and what they want - nothing more and nothing less.

"What Malaga needs is someone to grab the bull by the horns, and take the club forward.

Malaga have struggled in recent seasons and now sit in the second tier
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Malaga have struggled in recent seasons and now sit in the second tierCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Ryan Reynolds recently took over Wrexham along with Rob McElhenney
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Ryan Reynolds recently took over Wrexham along with Rob McElhenneyCredit: PA:Press Association
Banderas will hope to bring Puss' fighting spirit to struggling Malaga
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Banderas will hope to bring Puss' fighting spirit to struggling MalagaCredit: Handout

"Given their current circumstances they are doing very well.

"The lads wearing the shirt are doing a great job.

"But they have take the club as far as they can.

"What more can you do at a club with such huge problems?"

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to take over Wrexham with almost 99 per cent of fans backing move